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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



Daughters 
American 

Revolution 



OF THE 



HARTFORD, CONN. 

Iprcss of XTbc dase, '3locl!\voo^ S, :Brain3rt Compans 

January 1894 



LIST OF OFFICERS 
FIRST ANNUAL REPORTS 
BY-LAWS AND 

MEMBERSHIP ROLL of the 
RUTH WYLLYS CHAPTER 



Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



OFFICERS 



state tRccjcnt 

Mrs. DE B. RANDOLPH KEIM 

Washington, D. C. 

Ibonoiars tRegent 

Mrs. ELIZABETH RODGERS SMITH 

Hotel Capitol 

tRegent 

Mrs. JOHN MARSHALL HOLCOMBE 

79 Spring Street 

IftccstRcgcnt 

Miss ANTOINETTE RANDOLPH PHELPS 

72 Washington Street 

Secretary 

Mrs. albert HASTINGS PITKIN 
625 Asylum Avenue 

CorrcsponMng Secvctuvg 
Mrs. CHARLES EDWARD GROSS 

840 Asylum Avenue 

treasurer 

Miss MABEL WYLLYS WAINWRIGHT 

III Elm Street 

IRegistrar 

Miss MARY KINGSBURY TALCOTT 

815 Asylum Avenue 

Ibistorian 

Miss JULIA BRATTLE BURBANK 

714 Asylum Avenue 

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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



Xocal JSoal•^ of /iDanagcra 

Mrs. Dr. Wainwright Mrs. William Hamersley 

Mrs. Francis B. Cooley Miss Ellen M. Case 

Miss Charlotte A. Jewell Mrs. W. H. Palmer 
Mrs. Francis Goodwin Mrs. Chas. W. Havemeyer 

Mrs. Chas. F. Johnson 

B6visors 36oav5 
Rev. Francis Goodwin Mr. Joseph G. Woodward 

Dr. W. a. M. Wainwright Mr. John M. Holcombe 

Committee on ipublication 
Mrs. J. M. Holcombe Miss M. K. Talcott 

Mrs. a. H. Pitkin Mrs. Charles H. Clark 

Miss M. W. Wainwright Miss Charlotte A. Jewell 

delegates to tbc HAational Society 
Miss M. K. Talcott Miss C. D. Bissell 



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The Ruth Wyllys Chapter of hartford, 

connecticut, daughters of the 

wv;; american revolution, from its 



'^'^ O RGANIZATION TO THE FIRST ANNUAL 

M EETING. NOV. i8, 1892 — OCT. 31, 1893 

THE records of this Society, thus far, show that 
the inspiration of the movement proceeded from 
a circular issued by the National Board in Wash- 
ington, D. C, and sent to a few ladies early in the 
year of 1892. It was addressed to the "female de- 
scendants of an ancestor, who with unfailing loyalty 
rendered material aid to the cause of Independence 
as a recognized patriot, as a soldier or sailor, or as a 
civil officer, in one of the several Colonies or States, 
or of one of the United Colonies or States, resident in 
Connecticut, or from the mother of such a patriot." 
Considerable interest was manifested during the 
summer, but no formal action was taken until Novem- 
ber, 1892, when the presence among us of Mrs. De B. 
Randolph Keim of Washington, D. C, State Regent 
for Connecticut, furnished the necessary impulse. 

Invitations were extended by note and personal 
solicitation to such ladies as were known to be eligible 
to membership, to be present at a meeting, held 
November i8th, at the residence of Miss Antoinette 
Randolph Phelps, great-great-granddaughter of Col. Noah 
Phelps, who was leader of a band of volunteers who 

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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 

captured Fort Ticonderoga, one of the most daring 
exploits of the Revolutionary War. Some of the 
ladies were already honorary members of the "Sons 
of the American Revolution " of Connecticut, and I 
take occasion here to mention that in no State of the 
Union have ladies of Revolutionary ancestry received 
the privilege of honorary membership in that society 
which is accorded them in the State of Connecticut, 
and also to note with grateful acknowledgments the 
kindliness, courtesy, and aid extended by them in the 
formation of this new Society of kindred spirit. 

Despite the gray November skies and the fact of 
two afternoon teas and a parlor reading, fifteen ladies 
gathered at the time and place appointed. The fol- 
lowing is the list of ladies known to be present, most 
of whom made application for membership at that 
time : 

Mrs. De B. Randolph Keim, Mrs. J. W. Cone, 

Miss A. R. Phelps, Miss C. A. Jewell, 

Mrs. E. Rodgers Smith, Miss Helen Rathbun, 

Mrs. H. B. Beach, Mrs. James Nichols, 

Mrs. Seth Talcott, Miss Ellen Hooker, 
Mrs. Dr. W. A. M. Wainwright, Mrs. John M. Holcombe, 

Miss Mabel Wainwright, Mrs. A. H. Pitkin. 
Miss M. K. Talcott, 

Several ladies, unable to attend, sent words of 
encouragement and affiliation with the formation of 
this Society. The meeting was called to order and 
Mrs. Keim was chosen chairman, and Mrs. A. H. 
Pitkin, secretary. Two methods of forming societies 
are allowed under the Constitution, and the one which 

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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



contemplates the selection and appointment of officers 
by the State Regent as organizing officer was adopted. 
The following is the list of officers appointed by 
the State Regent, which was considered necessary for 
the full organization of the Chapter : 

Regent^ Mrs. J. M. Holcombe. 
Vice-Regent, Miss A. R. Phelps. 
Secretary, Mrs. A. H. Pitkin. 
Treasurer, Miss Mabel W. Wainwright, 
Registrar, Miss M. K. Talcott. 

The Constitution of the National Society, its plan 
of organization, objects, fees and dues, delegates, form 
of application and insignia, was adopted. The meeting 
adjourned to December 8th, when the general plan 
of work for the year and the name of the Society, 
that of " Ruth Wyllys," was decided upon. Decem- 
ber 27th the names of the officers and charter mem- 
bers, sixteen in all, with fees and application papers, 
were sent to Washington, and application made for a 
charter. During January no meetings were held, but 
constant additions were made to the membership, and 
a total list to February 9, 1893, of fifty-seven mem- 
bers were sent to Washington by the secretary. The 
interest in Hartford which this Society aroused in 
the first few months of its existence has been attested 
in the records of the National Society by the fol- 
lowing : 

"The 'Ruth Wyllys Chapter' in Hartford was 
the quickest organization of any Chapter on the 
records of the Society in this country." 

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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 

At a meeting held February ninth, the charter 
dated January sixth, 1893, was presented and a com- 
mittee consisting of Mrs. Dr. Wainwright, Mrs. Judson 
H. Root, and Mrs. H. T. Sperry, were appointed to 
frame it suitably. Mrs. Root resigning, Miss Frances 
Johnson was appointed. 

Contributions of pieces of wood from the original 
Charter Oak were offered by several members of the 
society, and October first witnessed the glorious com- 
pletion of this most satisfactory work of the committee. 

The following is the list of those who contributed 
pieces of wood from the "Charter Oak" for the fram- 
ing of the Charter ; the list prepared by Mrs. W. A. 
M. Wainwright, Chairman of that committee : 

Mrs. Elizabeth R. H. Smith, 
Mrs. Judson H. Root, 
Mrs. WiUiam F. Tuttle, 
Mrs. Henry T. Sperry, 
Mrs. Frederick Porter, 
Miss Ellen M. Stuart, 
Miss Martha P. Clark, 
Mrs. C. R. Boynton, 
Mrs. George W. Newton, 
Mrs. A. B. Francis, 
Mrs. Tuit, 

Miss Elizabeth G. Smith, 
Mr. W. H. Whitelaw, 
Mr. John Watson, 
Mr. Peter Taylor, 
Mr. Skinner, 

and several pieces from the estate of J. H. Most. 



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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



The incorporators named in the charter of the Chap- 
ter are the following : 

Mrs. J. M. Holcombe, Miss Mary Clarke, 

Mrs. Samuel Colt, Mrs. W. A. M. Wainwright, 

Mrs. C. Nichols Beach, Miss Charlotte A. Jewell, 

Mrs. Francis Goodwin, Miss Ellen M. Case, 

Mrs. Chas. F. Johnson, Miss Emily W. Ellsworth, 

Mrs. Francis B. Cooley, Mrs. James Nichols, 

Miss A. R. Phelps, 

and the officers : 

Mrs. J. M. Holcombe, Miss M. W. Wainwright, 

Mrs. A. H. Pitkin, Miss M. K. Talcott. 

At this meeting a vote was taken on what is called 
the " eligibility clause of the Constitution." The senti- 
ment of the Ruth Wyllys Chapter, as expressed by vote, 
was unanimous in favor of lineal descent and for strik- 
ing out the clause, "mother of a patriot," from Article 
III, section i, of the National Constitution. The dele- 
gates appointed at this meeting, Miss M. K. Talcott 
and Miss C. D. Bissell, were instructed so to vote at 
the National Congress, so representing the sentiment 
of the Ruth Wyllys Chapter, and, as it proved, in 
harmony with the other Connecticut delegates. The 
society is to be congratulated in that these ladies also 
represented the Ruth Wyllys Chapter at Chicago, May 
nineteenth, at the Woman's Congress. 

Later in the month, May twenty-second, a shadow 
fell upon the society when we learned with deep re- 
gret of the death of Mrs. Col. John B. Clapp, the first 
of our number to be taken from us by death. Gentle 



Ruth Wyliys Chapter 

and unassuming in her manner, she gained the love and 
respect of all who came under her influence. Her life 
among us will always awaken the kindliest recollec- 
tions. Memorial notices from the National Society, and 
from the Ruth Wyliys Chapter, were sent to the mem- 
bers of her family. 

During the year the Regent, Mrs. Holcombe, has 
prepared the by-laws, and they have been accepted 
by the society. Miss M. K. Talcott has presented a 
paper on Ruth Wyliys, which was printed in full, in 
the " Evening Post," and one copy sent by the secre- 
tary to each member. 

Miss Caroline D. Bissell has given a very interest- 
ing paper on the meeting of the National Congress in 
Washington, D. C, February, 1893. We have had two 
executive and four general meetings during the year. 
Our membership roll contains one hundred and six 
names. No persons are admitted without clear proof 
of the Revolutionary service of an ancestor. 

Our thanks are due the ladies whose hospitality 
has been so cordially extended. Miss A. R. Phelps and 
Mrs. Dr. Wainwright, and to the ladies who have pre- 
pared papers for the meetings, and to the city press 
for the many notices of our progress from time to 
time appearing in their columns. 

The progress which this society has made during 
its first year has been so marked and satisfactory that 
we have just cause for congratulation for the success 
which has been achieved in bringing together so many 
of Connecticut's representative names recalling ancestral 
memories of the struggle for Independence. 

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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



J 



The experimental stage is passed and we now oc- 
cupy a position in our National Society worthy of our 
ancestors, the memory of whose deeds of heroism and 
sacrifice has brought us together to-day. May we not 
extend our influence so that all women in whose veins 
flows the blood of Revolutionary ancestry may aid 
in perpetuating the patriotic spirit of the men who 
achieved American Independence. 

Cicero has said, 

" Dear are ancestors, 
Dear are children, 
Dear are relatives and friends ; 
All these loves are contained in love of country." 

Mrs. Albert Hastings Pitkin, 

Secretary. 



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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



BY-LAWS 



ARTICLE I 

IRame 
The name of this chapter shall be the Ruth 
Wyllys Chapter. 

ARTICLE II 
flDembcrsbip 
Any woman having the qualifications prescribed 
by the National Society, who resides in Hartford or 
vicinity, shall be considered eligible to membership 
in the chapter. The spirit of the clause "descended 
from the mother of a patriot," being interpreted by 
the National Board as follows : that the loyalty to 
the Colonies of the said mother be distinctly proven, 
as well as the loyalty of the child from whom ap- 
plicant descends, and provided that the applicant be 
otherwise acceptable to the society. 

ARTICLE III 

Sfees 

Initiation fees and annual dues shall be such as 

are prescribed by the National Society's constitution. 

If, at any time, additional funds are needed, the 

Chapter may, by a three-fourths vote, authorize the 

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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 

Treasurer to levy such assessments as the Chapter 
may recommend. Any member in arrears for dues, 
three months after two notices of her indebtedness 
have been sent her by the Treasurer, may be dropped 
from the rolls of the Chapter by the Local Board 
of Management. 

ARTICLE IV 

©fficcrs 
The officers of the Chapter shall be a Regent, 
Vice-Regent, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Sec- 
retary, Treasurer, Registrar, Historian, Local Board 
of Management of seven or more persons to act with 
the officers ; an Advisory Board of four gentlemen, 
and such other officers as future necessity may de- 
mand, 

ARTICLE V 
Election of ©fficcre 

The Chapter shall elect its officers, its Local 
Board of Management, and its delegates to the Con- 
tinental Congress, on the thirty- first day of October, 
— this being the anniversary of the hiding of the 
Charter in the Oak on the Wyllys estate, — of each 
year, or, if that date falls on Sunday, on the fol- 
lowing day. 

In case of a vacancy by resignation or death, a 
temporary officer may, if necessary, be appointed by 
the Regent to serve until the next meeting, when 
the vacancy shall be regularly filled by election. 

Nominations shall be made from the floor, and 
election shall be by ballot. A majority shall elect. 

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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



No officer shall be eligible for more than two years 
consecutively. 

ARTICLE VI 
Sutfes of ©fficccs 
The duties of officers shall be such as usually 
appertain to their offices, and such as are prescribed 
by the regulations of the National Society. 

ARTICLE VII 
Hjonorarv flDcmbers 
Any woman resident of Hartford or near vicin- 
ity, who is a member of any other Society or Chap- 
ter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 
may be elected an Honorary member of the Chapter. 

ARTICLE VIII 

/meetings 
The annual meeting for the election of officers 
shall be held on the thirty-first day of October, or, 
if that fall on Sunday, on the following day. Other 
regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held in 
January, April, and June. Special meetings may be 
called at any time by the Regent. Notices of all 
meetings shall be mailed to all members five (5) 
days before the time of said meeting. 

ARTICLE IX 
®r^er of 3Businc88 

1. Reading of minutes of previous meeting. 

2. Report of officers. 

3. Report of Committees. 

4. Miscellaneous business. 

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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 

ARTICLE X 
StanMng Committees 
At each annual meeting the Regent shall appoint 
a programme committee, or such committees as may 
be deemed necessary by the Local Board. 

ARTICLE XI 

a^v(60l•s asoars 
An Advisory Board of four may be elected from 
members of the Society of the Sons of the Ameri- 
can Revolution residing in Hartford, Conn. 

ARTICLE XII 
Quorum 
Five members of the Local Board constitute a 
quorum for the transaction of business. 

ARTICLE XIII 

Bmcn6ing 3BB=Uaw8 
These By-Laws may be amended at any regular 
meeting, written notice of the proposed change hav- 
ing been submitted at a previous meeting. 



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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



REPORT OF THE TREASURER 



Miss Mabel Wyllys Wainwright, Treasurer, in account 
7viih the Ruth Wyllys Chapter, Daughters of 
THE American Revolution, from its organization, 
November eighteenth, i8g2, to October thirty-first, 
1893: 

receipts 
Fees and annual dues, $307.00 

disbursements 

National Society, $226.00 

Charter, 5.00 

Postage and stationery, 26.60 

Expense of delegate, i3-40 

Printing, .......... 3.00 

Cash box, 1.50 

$275-50 
Cash on hand, 3i-5o 



$307.00 



Audited and found correct. 

DR. W. A. M. wainwright. 



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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



MEMBERSHIP ROLL 



Allen, Mrs. B. R. 
Allen, Miss Edith 
Barker, Mrs. Ludlow 
Barnes, Mrs. L. W. 
Bartlett. Miss M. L. 
Beach, Miss E. H. J. 
Beach, Mrs. C. Nichols 
Beach, Mrs. Chas. L. 
Beach, Mrs. Geo. Watson 
Bennett, Miss Alice N. 
Bingham, Mrs. J. F. . 
Bissell, Miss Caroline D. 
Brocklesby, Mrs. John H. 
Bronson, Miss Alice . 
Bronson, Mrs. A. H. . 
Bosworth, Mrs. S. B. . 
Burbank, Miss Julia B. 
Burdick, Mrs. Geo. 
Calhoun, Mrs. J. G. . 
Campbell, Mrs. James 
Case, Mrs. Albert W. 
Case, Miss Ellen M., . 
Clapp, Mrs. John B. . 
Clark, Mrs. Chas. Hopkins 
Clark, Miss Mary- 
Coffin, Mrs. H. R. 
CoUins, Miss M. F. . 
Colt, Mrs. Samuel 
Cone, Miss Florence . 
Cone, Mrs. J. H. 
Cook, Mrs. A. G. 
Cooley, Mrs. Francis B. 
Cooley, Miss Clara M. 
Deming, Mrs. Ernest . 



122 Woodland st. 

Prospect ave. 

West Hartford 

i8 Florence st. 

J/ Farmington ave. 

Armsmear 

Arinsinear 

21 Capitol ave. 

8 Main st. 

joo Fanningtoji ave. 

484 Farmington ave. 

gj Spring st. 

i^ Columbia st. 

18 Niles St. 

18 Niles St. 

1S06 Broad st. 

J 14 Asylum ave. 

203 Sigourney st. 

j6o Laurel st. 

J4 Congress st. 

South Manchester 

joj Farmifigton ave. 
* 

14 Prospect st. 

68 Main st. 

Windsor Locks 

g4 Woodland st. 

Armsmear 

182 Collins st. 

y84 Asylutn ave. 

164 High st. 

iig Farmington ave. 

iig Farmington ave. 

iji Sigourney st. 



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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



Ellsworth, Miss Emily W 
Ferguson, Mrs. Henry- 
Frances, Mrs. F. A. . 
Francis, Miss Mary 
Faxon, Mrs. Walter C. 
Gladwin, Mrs. S. M. . 
Goodrich, Miss Mabel 
Goodwin, Mrs. Francis 
Goodwin, Miss Alice F. 
Goodwin, Miss Sarah M. 
Gross, Mrs. Chas. E. 
Hamersley, Mrs. William 
Hammond, Mrs. E. P. 
Hart, Mrs. A. E. 
Havemeyer, Mrs. Chas. W 
Hitchcock, Mrs. H. P. 
Holconibe, Mrs. J. M. 
Hooker, Mrs. E. B. . 
Hubbard, Miss Edith 
Hubbard, Mrs. Geo. W. 
Jeweh, Miss C. A. 
Johnson, Mrs. Chas. F. 
Johnson, Miss Frances 
Jones, Mrs. H. K. 
Knous, Mrs. Jacob 
Lyon, Mrs. Irving W. 
Lyon, Miss Mary P. . 
Marsh, Mrs. John H. 
McCray, Mrs. W. B. . 
Nichols, Mrs. James G. 
Northrop, Mrs. E. G. . 
Palmer, Mrs. Frances C. 
Parker, Mrs. John D. 
Parsons, Miss Tirzah M. 
Pelton, Miss Edith C. 
Pelton, Mrs. W. N. . 
Perry, Mrs. Alfred T. 
Phelps, Miss A. R. . 
Pitkin, Mrs. A. H. 
Rathbun, Mrs. J. G. . 
Rathbun, Miss Helen B. 
Roberts, Mrs. Henry . 
Rockwell, Mrs. F. C. . 



68 Collins si. 

I2J Vernon si. 

J Farnthigloti ave. 

loi Elm si. 

2g Htinli7igton si. 

70J Asylutn ave. 

24 Main si. 

loj Woodland si. 

loj Woodland si. 

loj Woodland si. 

S40 Asylum ave. 

155 Washinglon si. 

2j Alwood si. 

gb4 Asylum ave. 

jjy Washinglon si. 

iig Trjtiiibtill si. 

79 Spring si. 

yo Farmitiglon ave. 

2g Columbia si. 

West Harlford 

140 Washinglon si. 

6g Ver?iojt si. 

106 Gillelle si. 

jj Spring si. 

Prospecl ave. 

26 Buckingham si. 

26 Buckifigham si. 

iji Sigourney si. 

Gillelle si. 

g48 Asylum ave. 

The Goodwin 

10^4 Asylum ave. 

iSj Sigourney si. 

S Avon si. 

yg2 Asyhim ave. 

7g2 Asylum ave. 

yji Asylutn ave. 

72 WashittglOfi si. 

623 Asylum ave. 

ly Alwood St. 

ly Alwood si. 

Sg Lafayetle si. 



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Ruth Wyllys Chapter 



Root, Miss Matilda C. 
Root, Mrs. Judson H. 
Sanford, Mrs. Walter . 
Scott, Mrs. J. Stanley 
Sedgwick, Mrs. Charles I 
Shipman, Mrs. Nathaniel 
Shipman, Miss Mary D. 
Smith, Miss E. G. 
Spencer, Miss E. J. 
Spencer, Miss M. C. 
Sperry, Mrs. H. T. 
Sperry, Miss M. B. 
Stanley, Miss Nellie 
Starr, Mrs. Pierre S. 
Stillman, Miss A. W. 
St. John, Mrs. S. B. 
Taintor, Mrs. J. U. 
Talcott, Miss M. K. 
Tuller, Mrs. Charles D. 
Tuttle, Miss AHce G. 
Tuttle, Miss Jane 
Tuttle, Mrs. W. F. . 
Wainwright, Miss Mabel W. 
Wainwright, Mrs. W. A. M. 
Weed, Miss Marion 
Webb, Miss M. L. . 
Williams, Mrs. Harry B. . 
Woodford, Miss Ada . 



ibo Garden si. 

66 Washington st. 

2IO Farmhigton ave. 

8j Biickitigham st. 

44 Buckitigham st. 

jj Charter Oak pi. 

jj Charter Oak pi. 

218 Main st. 

34 Buckingham st. 

553 Asylum ave. 

g Winthrop st. 

g Winthrop st. 

East Hartford 

17 g Sigourney st. 

100 Woodland st. 

114 Washingtojt st. 

862 Asylum ave. 

815 Asylum ave. 

4j Park st. 

loj Trumbull st. 

12 Winthrop st. 

12 Winthrop st. 

Ill Elm st. 

Ill Elm st. 

8j Elm st. 

Windsor Locks 

24 Marshall st. 

2 Sumtier st. 



Since the thirty-first of October, 1893, the following names have 
been added to the list: 



Barber, Mrs. Horace . 
Brooks, Miss Lydia C. 
Catlin, Mrs. Abijah 
Dwight, Mrs. William B. 
Gallup, Mrs. John 
Morgan, Mrs. E. K. . 
Risley, Mrs. Elisha 



A llyn House 

104 Church st. 

g66 Asylum ave. 

13 WintJirop st. 

Asylum ave. 

14 Russell st. 

yo Gillette st. 

Mary Kingsbury Talcott, 

Re9:istrar. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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Holllnger Corp. 
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